title: The effect of forced choice on facial emotion recognition: a comparison to open verbal classification of emotion labels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article includes the examination of potential methodological problems of the application of a forced choice response format in facial emotion recognition.
  
  
  METHODS
  33 subjects were presented with validated facial stimuli. The task was to make a decision about which emotion was shown. In addition, the subjective certainty concerning the decision was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The detection rates are 68% for fear, 81% for sadness, 85% for anger, 87% for surprise, 88% for disgust, and 94% for happiness, and are thus well above the random probability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study refutes the concern that the use of forced choice formats may not adequately reflect actual recognition performance. The use of standardized tests to examine emotion recognition ability leads to valid results and can be used in different contexts. For example, the images presented here appear suitable for diagnosing deficits in emotion recognition in the context of psychological disorders and for mapping treatment progress.
authors.affiliation: University of Ulm, University Clinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Psychology, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Limbrecht-Ecklundt
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scheck
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jerg-Bretzke
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Harald C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Traue
keywords: basic emotions; decision making; facial emotion recognition; open-response format